Imbolc typifies the idea of 'light in the darkness of winter'. The meaning of the word translates as 'ewe's milk', a reference to the beginning of spring, and the start of nest-building, or depending on the species, finding a mate and then building a home!

Whilst this year the seasonal temperatures in the UK have a been a bit 'off' to say the least, elements of spring are visible: snowdrops, changes in the behaviour of birds, as they start to become more territorial, my koi are starting to swim more actively as the water in the pond warms up.

From a spiritual perspective, the Goddess is undergoing change from the Crone of Winter to the Maiden of Spring. The dance between the God and the Goddess has begun again, and the world around us reflects this process. It is a time for new planning, of the seeds we hope to sow to reap a bountiful harvest at the end of the year.

Typically, Imbolc is festival of candles and light. One way of demonstrating this is to purchase or make all the ritual candles that you are likely to need for the course of the year, and consecrate them. Regretfully, I have not been that organised!

Link to Imbolc 2005

Imbolc is commonly celebrated with candles, the more the merrier. One way to make this particularly special is to make your own candles and to bless them during your Imbolc ritual.

There are two options here:

Making your own candles can be a lot of fun, and a bit of trial and error to get it right. I have listed some of my mistakes in the method, so hopefully, you won't have to make exactly the same mistakes.

Beeswax is much better than paraffin wax for candles. They smell better when they burn and it is a natural substance.

All the equipment to make your own candles can be purchased from the wonderful people at E.H. Thornes in Lincolnshire, England. They are also really helpful in advising on the right size of wick for the moulds and the right size of wax blocks for the number of moulds that you have.

There are other places selling 'beeswax' for candle making, but I have found that their wax appears to be have 'cut' with something else, because the melted wax is a lot more sticky that the pure stuff from Thornes.

I would also suggest using glass moulds. They may cost a tad more than latex, but they last!

Equipment

Methodology